12 Energy Bars That Are Even Better Than Your Morning Starbucks

Don’t be fooled by marketing ploys; words like “natural” or “skinny” are very loosely, if at all, regulated. The average food bar you reach for is loaded in sugar, fat, empty calories, and a long list of chemicals, additives, and preservatives – in other words it’s far from healthy. But not all is lost if you’re in need of a portable fix! We’ve rounded up 12 of the cleanest bars on the market. High in fiber, protein, healthy fats and loaded in good-for-you nutrients, these bars will help fuel your body without messing with your diet, digestion, or causing a sugar crash.

Baked in small batches in a real oven, [these bars are cookie-like in texture,] (http://www.earnesteats.com/our-foods/energy-bars-facs/) but you won’t find any cheap oil fillers here (no corn, peanut, or soy oil), and there are zero compound words on their ingredients labels. All of the bars, which include Cran Lemon Zest and Dark Chocolate Mint, are made with whole nuts, fruits, seeds, grains, and roasted almond butter and they’re especially high in omega-3s and protein.

Amazing Grass knows it’s important to avoid acid-forming foods, which is why all of their energy bars are made with organic alkalizing and detoxifying ingredients. [Available in 10 flavors] (http://www.amazinggrass.com/store/#green-superfood-energy-bars) including Coconut, Oatmeal Raisin, and Berry, all of the bars are packed with superfoods (that’s right…these bars have leafy greens in them and they still taste delicious.)

Who doesn’t love a Fig Newton? Unfortunately even though the age-old snack has a healthy rep it’s made with high fructose corn syrup and more types of sugar than we can begin to count. Enter Barbara’s Fig Bars. Available in Raspberry, Whole Wheat and Multigrain the bars are moist and sweet, non-GMO, low in fat and sodium, and cholesterol-free. They’re also made with real fruit and without hidden sugars.

WB Kitchen is known for their honey sweets, all of which are handcrafted using organic, non-GMO honey and all-natural ingredients. Everything is free of preservatives, artiﬁcial colors, and ﬂavors. Read the label of any of their bars (think Cinnamon Raison, Coconut Shortbread, Maple Pecan), and you’ll not only be able to recognize all of the ingredients, you’ll notice that nearly all are organic. And, being honey-based, it goes without saying that these bars are delicious.

Non-GMO and free from over a dozen of the most common allergens, Enjoy Life’s Chewy Bars (available in four flavors including Carmel Apple and Mixed Berry), are a satisfying snack that’s perfect for those looking for something allergy-friendly.

It’s said that Aztec and Inca warriors and the reclusive Tarahumara Indians of Mexico’s deadly Copper Canyon, who regularly run hundreds of miles, eat chia seeds for stamina and strength; this was chronicled in the cult read [Born to Run] (http://www.chrismcdougall.com/born-to-run/) and served as the inspiration for Health Warrior Chia Bars. Hey, if they’re good enough to give Aztec warriors energy they've gotta be good enough to help us power through our 4pm slump!

Available in Blueberry, Cherry, Strawberry, and Cran-Raspberry PROBAR Fuel Bars are gluten-free organic fruit blends made with cashews, chia seeds, and oats. Chewy and dense these bars will fill you up while fueling your body with protein and fiber. Note most of the sugar in the bars is coming from the dried fruits so don’t be alarmed.

Think of [Royal Hawaiian Orchards Fruit & Macadamia Crunches] (http://royalhawaiianorchards.com/collections/fruit-macadamia-crunches) as chopped up energy bars.All of their varieties are macadamia-based meaning they’re high in protein, fiber, phytochemicals, minerals, vitamins, and monounsaturated fat (the same good fat that makes avocado such a great part of your diet).

[Bearded Brothers Energy Bars] (http://www.beardedbros.com/collections/energy-bars) are available in both sweet and savory flavors including Coconut Curry, Texas BBQ, Outrageous Orange Kale, and Mega Maca Chocolate. The bars were created by – you guessed it – two bearded brothers looking to fuel their athletic pursuits. They still make all of their bars in Texas in small batches and all are, raw, vegan, gluten and soy free, and made with organic ingredients.

RXBAR’s bars are so clean they list out all of their ingredients in big bold letters on the front of their packaging. Packed with egg white protein and nutrition-rich fruits and nuts the filler-free bars only have about five to seven ingredients. [Flavors include] (http://www.rxbar.com/products.html) Pumpkin Spice and Chocolate Sea Salt.

Most commercial nut butters are made with hydrogenated vegetable oils, which is why it’s best to go with brands like Big Spoon Roasters, whose products not only taste fantastic, but are actually good for you. They’re handmade Nut Butter Bars are made in small batches with their own fresh-roasted nut butter, are naturally sweet, and loaded with fiber and protein to keep you full longer.